Willie O'Ree Skills Weekend Competitors at the home of Hasek's Heroes in Buffalo, NY

Two Detroit Area hockey players affiliated with Clark Park participated in the 2014 Willie O'Ree Skills Weekend competition for players aged 12 to 16 in Buffalo New York.  This event was hosted by Hasek's Heroes supported by the NHL's 'Hockey is for Everyone' program. Willie O'Ree - the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone Director and Lead Ambassador shared his wisdom with a new generation of Hockey Players. 

Over 40 contestants traveled from all over the USA and Canada to participate. They competed in racing, shooting and passing categories.  These included several representatives from teams who participated in Detroit's former Hockey in the Hood tournaments.

 These young hockey players and their chaperon's  witnessed former Buffalo Sabers Hall of Fame Goalie Dominik Hasek being inducted into the Sabers Hall of Fame. All the players got to meet Hasek when he visited them at the rink.  A great time was had by all!

Columbus Ice Hockey Club visits Detroit for weekend of Pee Wee and Bantam outside games vs Clark Park Select Team

The Columbus Ice Hockey Club visited Clark Park this weekend for two days of outside Pee Wee and Bantam hockey games vs Clark Park Select Team of Clark Park skaters, former Detroit Dragons, and Dearborn Hockey Association players.

The Pee Wees faced off at 6:00 PM Saturday evening and at 10:00 am on Sunday.  Bantams games followed. 

The Clark Park attack featured Clark Park skaters, The Detroit Five - Detroit Dragons alums - Devin Bunch, Eric Bruinsma, Garrick Smith, Olajuwon Secrest & Marion Adams, and players from Dearborn Hockey.  The team was coached by Anthony Benavides and retired Detroit Hockey Association coach Bill Sullivan.

Clark Park breaks out into the Columbus zone.

Columbus Pee Wees attack the Clark Park zone in shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. 

Detroit won Saturday night's game 2 - 1. On Sunday morning Clark Park & Columbus tied 6-6 in regulation - featuring hat tricks from Garrick Smith of '02 USA Eagles in West Bloomfield and Eric Bruinsma '01 Livonia Lancers.  Columbus won in an "all players shoot" shootout score of 6-2. The Columbus Goalie made 14 saves for this overtime victory!  

Photos from Detroit Red Wings and USA Hockey visit to Clark Park on December 16, 2013

Julian Brammer and Eric Bruinsma are dressed and ready to play.

Niklas Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser lace up their skates at Clark Park with a new generation of hockey players.

Detroit Hockey Association Alums Brammer and Bruinsma prepare to step onto Clark Park's new ice surface.

Detroit Red Wings Defencemen Niklas Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser skate in front of Clark Park's new Zamboni. 

Winter Classic kids share the ice with Detroit Red Wings, USA Hockey coaches, and lots of cameramen.

USA Hockey ADM - Small ice games help build skills by giving hockey players more opportunities to touch the puck.

 American Development Model - USA Hockey (ADM) - see http://www.admkids.com/ for more information.

Let the games begin.  The day finished with a scrimmage between Team DeKeyser and Team Kronwall.

Every Sunday Clark Park hosts open skating at 12:30 & learn to skate/play programs at 2:00 PM. Equipment is provided. 

#65 DeKeyser (above) and #55 Kronwall signed every hockey kids sweater before the day was done.

WDIV - Channel 4 Detroit: NHL Gives Back to Detroit

Detroit Dragons Squirts begin home stand with 3 - 2 victory